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Five Zambian civil society organisations have accused the Government of a deliberate and escalating disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law and human rights in the weeks following the August 13, 2026 General Election.
In a joint statement issued on September 14, 2026, a day before the International Day of Democracy, the groups said Zambia was confronting an “unprecedented assault” on democratic institutions instead of celebrating them.
The organisations identified three developments as evidence of a troubling pattern namely the arbitrary cancellation of passports, prolonged detention of opposition leaders without arraignment, and what they described as a growing trend of abductions.
“We, the undersigned civil society organisations, issue this joint statement to express our grave concern at the pattern of conduct by the Zambian Government in the weeks following the 13th August 2026 General Election; conduct that, taken together, points to a deliberate and escalating disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law, and the human rights of Zambian citizens,” reads the statement.
On the passport issue, the CSOs cited Government Gazette Notice No. 1421 of 2026 dated September 7, 2026, which cancelled with immediate effect the passports of six citizens including former Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba, Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa, former lawmakers Binwell Mpundu and Emmanuel Jay Banda, former Special Assistant Kaizer Zulu, and Blogger Lillian Mutambo.
“It is a bitter irony that Zambia approaches this day not celebrating the strength of its democratic institutions but confronting an unprecedented assault on them. We call on all Zambians, and on the international community, to mark this year’s International Day of Democracy by reflecting soberly on the events set out below, and on what they mean for the future of our constitutional order,” the groups said.
The group also addressed the case of Celestine Mukandila, Secretary-General of the Tonse/Pamodzi Alliance, whose passport and NRC were earlier cancelled. He remains in Immigration custody and the Lusaka High Court has ordered the State to produce him and show cause why he should not be released.
On detentions, the CSOs noted that National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity 2026 Presidential candidate, Brian Mundubile and Vice-Presidential candidate, Makebi Zulu have been in custody since August 27, 2026.
The CSO’s noted that the duo were charged with treason on 29 August and later with sedition on 11 September, but had not appeared in court by the date of the statement.
“Article 13(3) of the Constitution requires that a person who is arrested or detained be brought before a court as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 48 hours of arrest. Article 18 further guarantees the right of every person charged with a criminal offence to be presumed innocent, to be informed promptly of the nature of the charge, and to a fair hearing within a reasonable time before an independent and impartial court,” reads the statement.
The organisations also raised concern over 18 detainees linked to the matter, citing a petition alleging unlawful detention, denial of access to lawyers and family, and in some cases inhuman and degrading treatment.
They further flagged the arrest of Mafinga South MP Hon. Faith Munthali on 11th September 2026, saying she was apprehended by uniformed men without the opportunity to have lawyers present.
“Taken individually, each of these actions is troubling. Taken together, they reveal a pattern: the use of state power against political opponents, critics, and dissenting voices, without regard to due process, judicial oversight, or the constitutional protections that exist precisely to restrain such power,” the CSOs stated.
In their call to action, the groups urged citizens to defend the Constitution peacefully, and asked Government to restore cancelled passports, bring all accused persons to court, guarantee detainees access to counsel, and hold an inclusive national dialogue.
“This is not merely a series of individual grievances. It is a constitutional crisis. Article 1 of the Constitution declares the Constitution the supreme law of the Republic, binding on all persons, State organs, and State institutions; any act inconsistent with it is void to the extent of the inconsistency,” the group stated.
The CSOs also appealed to the international community, including the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Commonwealth, SADC and UN mechanisms, to monitor developments and engage Government directly.
“Zambia’s hard-won democracy was not built to be dismantled by gazette notice and midnight arrests. As the world prepares to mark the International Day of Democracy on 15 September, we call on all Zambians of goodwill, and all friends of Zambia abroad, to stand for constitutionalism, due process, and the rule of law,” reads the statement.
The statement was signed by Linda Kasonde, Executive Director of LCK Freedom Foundation, on behalf of Advocates for Democratic Governance Foundation, Caritas Zambia, Chapter One Foundation, and the Free Press Initiative Zambia.
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